Malcolm and Juliet by Bernard Beckett
Text
Publishing, 2009. ISBN 9781921520327
(Age
range: 14+) Recommended. Malcolm and Juliet is an enjoyable novel
dealing with
teenage issues in a comical way. Malcolm is a science geek who last
year was
the runner up in the annual science fair this year he is more
determined than
ever to win. When Malcolm inadvertently stumbles across a piece of
video
footage whilst taping the annual rugby game he decides his project
topic will
be sex!
Juliet
is Malcolm's best friend and usual 'partner in crime'; however she has
her own
problems in the form of an anonymous letter threatening to 'out her'
for a past
indiscretion. As these two central characters endeavour to solve their
respective problems the topic of sex begins to involve teenagers they
encounter.
Kevin, who is in love with Brian, Brian who loves Juliet and Charlotte
who
desires Malcolm from afar. Eventually through Malcolm's project and a
series of
coincidental events all the characters are forced to face their true
feelings.
Although
this is a compact story Beckett has managed to capture the concerns and
life
experiences of teenagers in a light hearted way. The twist at the end
is worth
reading the book for.
Tracy
Glover